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Turkish journalist sentenced for insulting Erdogan while on trial for previous offense
Barıs
Ince © Facebook
RT,
8
March, 2016
In
a continuation of its crackdown on freedom of expression, Turkey has
sentenced the former editor of the left-leaning Birgun newspaper to
21 months in prison for “insulting” President Erdogan while
submitting a plea in an ongoing case.
The
journalist, Bans Ince, continued to write for the paper, while the
previous case dating back to 2013 still hung over his head. In late
December of that year, a report by the paper had accused President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan – then prime minister – of corruption,
something his Justice and Development Party (AKP) claimed was akin to
a planned coup, Hurriyet daily reports.
Ince
had allegedly insulted both Erdogan and his son Bilal with the
report. Ince had entered a plea in his defense, but was too clever
with words for his own good: the letters at the start of each
paragraph, when put together, spelled out“thief.”
Nobody
in power needed three guesses to know Ince was talking about Erdogan.
Ince claimed complete coincidence, but added that it could have
been “an
act of God.” This
did not spare him from the 21-month prison term.
The
newspaper said March 8 it plans to appeal the decision.
According
to Cumhurriyet, Turkey has 1845 active cases against civilians
accused of insulting the president since his term began in 2014.
Article 299 of the Turkish criminal code presupposes punishment in
the form of one to four years in prison for the offense.
The
Turkish opposition has been accusing Erdogan of using the law very
frequently - much more often than previous administrations.
Despite
mounting criticism from countries and organizations worldwide, the
government has only expanded its crackdown on journalists and public
figures allegedly insulting Erdogan. Ankara has reportedly taken
control of the Cihan news agency over its alleged association with a
US-based Muslim cleric, Fethullah Gulen, a known enemy of the current
regime.
Just
days before, popular opposition newspaper Zaman also got a visit from
the police. Both the news agency and the newspaper are part of the
Feza Gazetecilik media company.
Cihan
reporter Ibrahim Varlik told RT that his organization was the largest
private news agency in Turkey, and its takeover now leaves
state-owned Anadolu as the only source of information for Turkish
people.
The
agency has also been the only independent monitor of country’s
election process since 2005, the reporter dded.
‘Easy for ISIS to use Turkey as Trojan Horse to enter EU’ – UKIP MEP
The
chorus of those slamming the planned deal between the EU and Turkey
is getting louder, and the leader of the UK Independent Party, Nigel
Farage, has become the latest to brand Ankara's demands as
'blackmail'.
The message that the EU has surrendered to Turkey's ‘blackmail’ over migrants has been repeatedly expressed by the media, and by some politicians. Meanwhile, the UK Independence Party has even launched a campaign explaining why the EU shouldn't yield to Ankara's membership demand.
For more on this RT is joined by UKIP MEP Margo Parker
The message that the EU has surrendered to Turkey's ‘blackmail’ over migrants has been repeatedly expressed by the media, and by some politicians. Meanwhile, the UK Independence Party has even launched a campaign explaining why the EU shouldn't yield to Ankara's membership demand.
For more on this RT is joined by UKIP MEP Margo Parker
Crosstalk on Syria: Calm Before Storm?
More
than 10 days into the ceasefire, calm generally prevails in Syria.
Both Russia and the U.S. emphasize the need to avoid delays in the
negotiating process. The two most powerful actors are in agreement,
but what about Washington’s allies in the region? Turkey and Saudi
Arabia are not fully on board. A lot can still go wrong. CrossTalking
with Daniel Lazare, Alexander Mercouris, and Geoffrey Aronson
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